Cabot thumps Conway

Second Place

Clay County Courier, Corning

Their cup runneth over; Rice

Bowl Champs!

Pam Lowe

On Friday evening, the Cabot Panthers and the unde- feated Conway Wampus Cats got into a major catfight for bragging rights in the 7A con- ference. The Wampus Cats were ranked second and the Panthers held the No. 3 spot. But that all changed as the Panthers skinned the Cats, 35-20. The game was highly antic- ipated, with Cabot school offi- cials worrying about reaching maximum capacity, and it was a sold-out game. The district encouraged fans to buy tickets beforehand. As the stadium filled, chants and cheers could be heard encouraging the teams, the Panther Student Section was exceptionally rowdy and provided major encourage- ment for the Panthers. The first quarter of the game was tense, with each team trying to gain insight into the other’s tactics. Panthers drew first blood with 3:41 left on the first quar- ter clock, with quarterback Abe Owen, #12, running it in. This was followed by the don’t-miss Kade Martin, #84, extra point. Owen once again was able to score a rushing touchdown at the 1:41 mark, his second rushing touchdown of the night. Martin once again followed with a good extra point, leaving the Panthers in the lead 14-0 at the end of the first quarter. Wampus Cats were able to score their first touchdown early in the second quarter.

Bears barely beat Titans, 19-14

The Leader, Jacksonville

Girls crying

Alexia Christman

With the help of Panthers offensive lineman Nicholas Hazeslip, #79, throwing key blocks and creating holes, Owen gained chunks of yard- age. With 3:01 left in the sec- ond quarter, Owen ran in his third touchdown of the night. The Panthers were once again able to rely on Martin for a good extra point, which he delivered.

Third Place

The Leader, Jacksonville

Thirsty drinker

David Scolli

Wampus Cats scored their second touchdown of the night at 1 minute 41 seconds left on the clock. The Wampus Cat extra point was blocked by the Panthers, leaving the score 21-13 at Panthershalftime.were the first to score in the second half with 6:15 on the clock, Owen hit his first passing touchdown of the game, with Gavin Reardon, #81, receiving it. Martin once again was able to score the extra point.

Soon after, Wampus Cats attempted to seek redemption by rushing the ball in an excep- tional play ending in a touch- down less than a minute later. Panthers scored the first touchdown of the fourth quar- ter at about the midpoint mark with Evion Jimmerson, #20, rushing it in. The TD was fol- lowed by yet another Martin extra point. The crowd was bursting with excitement as they knew the game was won. This was the only touchdown of the quarter, but it was all that was needed for the Panthers to prove their worth and win the catfight, 35-20.

The Panthers’ next game will be their Homecoming Game next week at Cabot High School against Little Rock Central.

Jackrabbits continue dominating opponents as Heber Springs

On Friday, the Lonoke Jackrabbits came through with a victory against Cave City, 34-21. The ‘Rabbits scored in their first series of downs on offense, going 71 yards for a touchdown. “I was proud of how we opened the game with a trick play from Latrell Burnett to Denham Gooden,” Coach Chris Norton said, adding that he was proud of guys like Kaden Flowers, Pacey DeBord, and Jackson Miller. “Jackson had two huge recoveries on Cave City’s onside kicks, Pacey started at linebacker, and Kaden started at right guard for us, the coach said.

Defensively, Latrell Burnett had 19 tackles and an interception, and really helped the ‘Rabbits contribute to their win.

Coach Norton mentioned a few other players who shined on the offensive side,“Landon Jones, Denham Gooden, and Marquez Jackson Jr. contin- ued to make big plays for us.”

“Winning is gets lost sometimes,” said, “It’s never running the ball and playing. Lots focus, and effort Norton said he team dug in when and that’s how they a win. “We were sively in the first had spots where really well offensively,” coach said. Friday is week is a huge us,” Norton said, Springs is well has two really, really athletes that can problems. Homecoming distraction that we to navigate.” Coach Norton have a great week tice field. The team to focus on consistency execution during and take that with they hit the field Friday against Heber Springs.

DAVID SCOLLI/Leader photo

Titans’ offensive line coach, Chris Gillian, prepares to give Taquon Sanders a big old hug after Sanders scored a touchdown that put Jacksonville ahead of Sylvan Hills in their Friday night game. The Bears pulled the victory away from the Titans with a late score, making it 19-14, Sylvan Hills. For the Bears it was win number two. Jacksonville remains winless.

Landon Jones said he was excited to win Friday night. “Our next game is going to be difficult, but we’re gonna lock in and focus on what we need to.” Jones said, “We’ll be practicing all week and working on the mistakes that we made against Cave City.” Jones is planning to correct any mistakes that he made so that he can help his team win against Heber Spring in their next game, and make it closer to the playoffs.